A Kirkcaldy landmark could be reopened to the public, if funding for the ambitious project can be secured.
The Courier revealed earlier this month that maintenance work was to be carried out on the Dysart Windmill, generating huge interest in one of the area’s iconic structures.
It is now hoped that plans can be drawn up to return the windmill to public use.
It is believed to be the oldest remaining structure of its kind in Scotland.
Excited about the possibility of attracting visitors, as well as acting as an educational asset, local councillor Kay Carrington said: “It could be wonderful for the whole area.
“It is important for Dysart and Kirkcaldy, and while the windmill does need a bit of attention, especially as we have named the new community campus after it, it could potentially bring visitors and tourists to the area.”
Funding has already been secured to carry out remedial work on the structure, including repointing and the removal of ivy maintenance scheduled to start this week.
While recognised throughout Kirkcaldy, little is known publicly about the history of the windmill.
However, given the public interest in that project following an article in The Courier earlier this month, there are hopes the site could be further restored, returning it to public use.
Douglas Spiers, an archaeologist for Fife Council, said that while nothing was likely to happen for the next year or two, he was confident that funding could be secured to turn the windmill in to an important local asset.
“The key to the future of the windmill is bringing it back in to use and into the consciousness of the community,” he said.
“It might take a year or two but the elected members have displayed a lot of confidence in the project.”
If funding can be secured, Mr Spiers hopes that a spiral staircase could be installed within the windmill’s interior, and a viewing platform constructed at the summit, possibly covered by a glass dome.
Though keen to stress that any development is a long way off, Mr Spiers said he was quietly confident that the tower could be restored.
“The commitment is there 100% from Fife Council,” he added.
“We have a really good track record of securing external funding.”